Numbers 29:16

KJV

And one kid of the goats [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} for a sin offering {H2403}; beside the continual {H8548} burnt offering {H5930}, his meat offering {H4503}, and his drink offering {H5262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

American Standard Version

and one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:16 concludes the detailed sacrificial instructions for the eighth and final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, known as Shemini Atzeret. It specifies the inclusion of "one kid of the goats for a sin offering," alongside the regular "continual burnt offering" and its accompanying grain and drink offerings. This verse underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite worship, highlighting the enduring necessity of atonement for purification even amidst celebration, and the unwavering commitment to daily devotion required in their covenant relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29 is part of a larger section (Numbers 26-36) that focuses on the second generation of Israel and the divine laws given to them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, chapter 29 provides a meticulously detailed sacrificial calendar for the annual feasts of the Lord, including the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Numbers 29:1-38 outlines the specific offerings for each of these festivals. The Feast of Tabernacles, lasting seven days with an eighth solemn assembly, receives the most extensive treatment (Numbers 29:12-38), with a decreasing number of bullocks offered daily. Numbers 29:16, therefore, represents the culmination of these elaborate instructions for the final day, emphasizing that even after a week of intense celebration, the fundamental need for a sin offering and the maintenance of the daily offerings remained paramount.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, requiring all Israelite males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). It served a dual purpose: commemorating God's provision and protection during the wilderness wanderings, when Israel dwelled in temporary shelters (Leviticus 23:42-43), and celebrating the final ingathering of the autumn harvest. The "eighth day," Shemini Atzeret, was distinct from the seven days of Sukkot, often considered a separate solemn assembly, a day of rest and reflection following the week of joyous celebration and agricultural thanksgiving. The inclusion of precise, divinely ordained sacrifices, as seen throughout [Numbers 29](/numbers/29 "Numbers 29 - Sacrifices for Feasts"), was central to Israelite worship, reflecting the holiness of Yahweh and the necessity of ritual purity for maintaining covenant relationship in a culture where sacrificial systems were common, but uniquely defined by God for His people.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:16 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. First, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Atonement**. The persistent requirement of a sin offering, even during a time of national rejoicing, underscores the pervasive nature of sin and ritual impurity among the people and the absolute holiness of God, who requires a means of purification for His presence to dwell among them. This constant need for cleansing points to the inadequacy of repeated animal sacrifices and foreshadows a more perfect, once-for-all atonement. Second, the mention of the "continual burnt offering" highlights the theme of **Continual Worship and Dependence**. These daily offerings symbolized Israel's unwavering devotion and recognition of God's sovereignty and provision, serving as a perpetual reminder of their covenant relationship and their reliance on His grace for sustenance and protection, a concept echoed in passages like [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering"). Finally, the meticulous detail of the instructions throughout [Numbers 29](/numbers/29 "Numbers 29 - Offerings for Annual Feasts"), including this verse, emphasizes the theme of **Divine Order and Obedience**. God's precise commands for worship taught Israel that true devotion was not arbitrary but required faithful adherence to His revealed will, fostering reverence and discipline within the community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **חַטָּאת (_chaṭṭāʾt_):** "Sin offering." This Hebrew term, literally meaning "sin," is used technically here to denote the specific sacrifice offered for purification from sin or ritual impurity. The primary function of the _chaṭṭāʾt_ was to cleanse the worshiper or the sanctuary from defilement, thereby restoring the individual or community to a state of ritual purity acceptable for fellowship with God. It was not primarily about guilt for deliberate transgression, but about removing obstacles to God's presence caused by unintentional sin or uncleanness, making atonement (covering) possible.
* **עֹלַת תָּמִיד (_ʿōlat tāmîd_):** "Continual burnt offering." This phrase combines `ʿōlāh` (burnt offering), which literally means "that which ascends" (referring to the whole animal being consumed by fire and ascending to God, symbolizing total dedication and devotion), with `tāmîd` (continual, regular, perpetual). The `ʿōlat tāmîd` was a daily, twice-offered sacrifice (morning and evening) that represented the ongoing, unwavering communion between God and Israel, a constant act of worship and acknowledgment of His sovereignty, independent of special festival requirements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one kid of the goats [for] a sin offering":** This clause specifies a particular animal, a male goat, designated for the purpose of a _chaṭṭāʾt_ (sin offering) on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. While the number of bullocks decreased significantly on this final day, the sin offering remained, underscoring its indispensable role. Its inclusion highlights the persistent need for purification from unintentional sins or ritual impurities that might have accumulated even during a week of celebration, ensuring the people's continued acceptability before a holy God.
* **"beside the continual burnt offering":** This phrase clarifies that the special festival sin offering was *in addition to* the regularly scheduled daily burnt offering. The "continual burnt offering" (the `ʿōlat tāmîd`) was a standing fixture of the Tabernacle/Temple worship, offered every morning and evening. Its mention here emphasizes that even during major festivals, the foundational, daily acts of worship and dedication to God were not suspended but continued as a constant expression of Israel's covenant fidelity.
* **"his meat offering, and his drink offering":** These are the standard accompanying offerings for the burnt offering. The "meat offering" (Hebrew: _minchah_, often translated as "grain offering") typically consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense, representing the fruit of the land and human labor offered back to God as an act of thanksgiving and dedication. The "drink offering" (Hebrew: _nesek_, a libation) usually involved wine poured out before the Lord, symbolizing devotion, joy, and the shedding of life. Their inclusion here confirms the completeness of the daily sacrificial routine, emphasizing the holistic nature of worship that encompassed various forms of offerings.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:16, within the broader context of the chapter, employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as the chapter meticulously repeats the formulaic listing of sacrifices for each day of the feasts, emphasizing the divine order and the precise adherence required for worship. This verse specifically uses **Juxtaposition** by placing the unique festival sin offering "beside" the "continual burnt offering" and its accompaniments. This highlights both the specific needs of the solemn assembly (purification from accumulated defilement) and the unchanging, ongoing nature of Israel's daily devotion to God. Furthermore, the various offerings mentioned carry rich **Symbolism**: the sin offering symbolizes purification and atonement, the burnt offering represents total dedication, the grain offering signifies thanksgiving for provision and the offering of human labor, and the drink offering embodies devotion and joy. These symbolic acts collectively paint a picture of a people in constant, ordered relationship with their holy God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:16, though a seemingly technical detail of the Mosaic Law, provides profound theological insights into God's character and humanity's condition. The persistent need for a "sin offering" even during periods of celebration underscores the pervasive reality of sin and ritual impurity, demonstrating that access to a holy God always requires a divinely appointed means of atonement. This entire sacrificial system, with its repeated offerings, served as a temporary provision, constantly pointing to the need for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that could truly cleanse and reconcile. The "continual burnt offering" further emphasizes God's desire for an ongoing, dedicated relationship with His people, a relationship sustained by both His grace and their obedient worship. The meticulousness of these instructions reveals God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including worship, and His desire for a people who would approach Him with reverence and order.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for an Individual")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific regulations in Numbers 29:16, has been fulfilled in the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a stark reminder that sin is a constant reality, even in our moments of joy and spiritual celebration, necessitating an ongoing reliance on God's grace for purification. It challenges any notion of self-sufficiency or inherent purity, directing our gaze to the divine provision for reconciliation. For us, the "sin offering" is no longer an animal sacrifice but the finished work of Christ on the cross, which provides complete and eternal atonement. The concept of "continual offerings" encourages us to live a life of unwavering dedication and worship, not through ritualistic animal sacrifices, but by presenting our entire lives—our bodies, minds, and spirits—as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God. This means daily repentance, seeking forgiveness, and offering our time, talents, and resources in service and devotion, acknowledging God's sovereignty and our complete dependence on Him in every aspect of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the persistence of the "sin offering" even amidst celebration challenge our understanding of sin and grace in our own lives?**
* **In what ways can we offer "continual burnt offerings" of dedication and "meat/drink offerings" of our lives to God today, as spiritual sacrifices?**
* **What does the meticulous detail of God's instructions in Numbers 29 teach us about the nature of true worship and our approach to Him?**

### FAQ

**Question: Why was a sin offering still needed on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of joy?**

Answer: Even during periods of celebration and communal worship, the Israelites, as imperfect human beings, would inevitably incur unintentional sins or ritual impurities. The sin offering (Hebrew: _chaṭṭāʾt_) was not primarily for deliberate, high-handed rebellion, but for cleansing from these impurities or sins committed unknowingly. Its inclusion on the eighth day, a solemn assembly, underscored the pervasive nature of sin and the constant need for purification to maintain a holy relationship with God. It served as a reminder that access to God's presence always required atonement, even in times of great joy and thanksgiving, highlighting the absolute holiness of God and the imperfect nature of humanity. This principle foreshadows the ongoing need for grace and forgiveness in the believer's life, even after salvation, as we continue to stumble (see [1 John 1:8-9](/1_john/1-8 "1 John 1:8-9 - Confession of Sins")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:16, with its emphasis on the sin offering and continual offerings, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "one kid of the goats for a sin offering" foreshadows the singular, perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who, by His own blood, entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (see [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which had to be repeated daily and annually because they could not truly take away sin (see [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")), Christ's offering was a "once for all" act that perfectly atoned for sin and purified those who draw near to God (see [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The "continual burnt offering" and its accompaniments, symbolizing ongoing dedication and communion, are fulfilled in Christ's perpetual intercession for us before the Father (see [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Ongoing Intercession")) and in the New Covenant call for believers to present their bodies as [living sacrifices](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Presenting Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices"), holy and acceptable to God, as their spiritual worship. Through Christ, we have continuous, confident access to God's presence, not based on our ritual performance, but on His perfect, sufficient offering.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.